Shoe cleaning device



Oct. 30, 1962 J. DUFAULT SHOE CLEANING DEVICE Filed June 26, 1961 T X. E, mm M mm a EU W W 4 W M B 7 fl. Mg 1; G 5 III- m w F f o W Unite States Patent 3,060,475 SHOE CLEANING DEVICE Jack Dufault, Mount Hope Ave., Lewiston, Maine Filed June 26, 1961, Ser. No. 119,393 1 Claim. (Cl. 15-36) This invention relates to improvements in shoe cleaning devices and brushing devices.

In the past various means have been devised for scraping, cleaning shoes with sundry brushing devices, scraping devices or combinations of brushes and scrapers. While devices of the past have been able to achieve a scraping or brushing function, such results have often been the end product of a laborious task with an uncontained messy residue to clean where mud or other soils have been scraped or brushed from boots or shoes.

According to the present invention, an inexpensive, simple, mechanical shoe and boot cleaning device is provided which can quickly and thoroughly clean a boot or a shoe, reaching all of its parts without the inconvenience of having messy residue left uncontained. Provision is made for taking care of and disposing of this messy residue.

One form of the invention and manner in which the invention may be carried out is shown in the accompanying drawing, which may further be understood by reference to the description.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the shoe cleaning device with the refuse drawer extended.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective of the shoe cleaning device of the present invention with the hood raised.

FIG. 3 is a side cross section of the shoe cleaning device as actually used.

FIG. 4 is a detail of the brush and refuse drawer.

Referring now to the figures in greater detail, where like references denote like parts in the various figures.

In the form shown the cleaning device 1 includes a hinged hood 2, an opening 3 in the front top of the hood 2, large enough to accommodate low shoes or boot sizes, a perforated brush cover in two portions including a first platform 4 and a second platform 5 and an opening adapted to accommodate a refuse drawer 6, the hood 2. is hinged to a base 7.

On the base 7 are affixed an electric motor 8 and spaced supporting blocks 9 adapted to support a cleaning brush assembly 10. A refuse drawer 6 rests on the base between the spaced support blocks 9.

The cleaning brush assembly comprises a bottom rotatable brush 12 having bristles 13 protruding radially and side brushes 14 facing each other on either side of the bottom brush. The peripheral bristles 15 are longer than the central bristles 16 of the side brushes, the bristles 15, 16 forming a concavity in the side brushes 14.

The cleaning brush assembly is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 17 which passes through its length. The cleaning brush assembly 10 and shaft are mounted in journals 18 on top of the spaced apart blocks 9 which place them directly above where the refuse drawer 6 rests when in its proper position.

The wires 19 connected to the on and off switch 20 of the electric motor 8 run along the inside of the hood 2 to the point where they connect with the switch 20 for access to the switch from the outside of the hood. A protective molding strip 21 lines the hood opening and serves as a protection against scratching shoes or boots and as a moisture gasket when the present invention is used outdoors and the hood opening 3 is covered with its special hinged cover 22.

The electric motor 8 has connected to its rotatable shaft 23 a pulley 24. One end of the shaft holding the brush assembly has another pulley 25 opposing the electric motor shaft pulley 24. The two pulleys 24, 25 are rotatably joined by a belt 26 which preferably causes the cleaning brush assembly to rotate clockwise when the motor 8 is operating.

In operation the hood 2 is closed over the base with the opening cover 22 open as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and the perforated brush cover portions 4, 5 straddling the horizontal brush 12. The drawer 6 is closed flush with the hood placing it beneath the rotatable brush assembly 10.

Upon actuation of the switch 20 the brush assembly 10 rotates clockwise, that is the brush assembly 10 rotates so that removed dust is brushed toward the second portion 5 of the perforated brush cover.

A shoe is cleaned as shown in FIG. 3 with the dust or residue thrown either forward toward the perforations in the second portion of the perforated brush cover 5 or down between the brushes and the perforated brush cover as it straddles the cleaning brush assembly 10.

All portions of the shoe may be reached by this assembly because the concavity caused by the different sizes of the bristles 15, 16 of the side brushes 14 provide a place where the vamp, heel and other portions of the shoe may be cleaned. The sole being thoroughly cleaned by the bottom brush 12.

The refuse deposited in the drawer 6 may be disposed of at convenient moments.

The terms and expressions which are employed are used as terms of description, it is recognized, though, that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

It is claimed:

A shoe cleaning machine adapted to withstand weather conditions including a bottom rotatable brush adapted to clean a sole of a shoe resting upon it, a shaft for the brush, bristles protruding radially from the shaft and side brushes on said shaft, one of said side brushes adapted to face each side of a shoe and having longer bristles at its outer circumference and shorter central bristles, said circumferential bristles adapted to overlie a portion of the top of an inserted shoe, means for driving said shaft, a receiving device for collecting dust removed, a perforated cover and shoe support means adapted to hold dust in said receiving device, a hinged hood including said perforated cover, adapted to serve as a cover for said brush and support for said perforated cover and shoe support means, an opening in said hood, a sealing gasket about said opening further adapted to prevent injury to a shoe, and a second cover hing-1y mounted adapted to close said opening in said hood.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,217,803 Meiford Feb. 27, 1917 1,223,195 Molinaro Apr. 17, 1917 1,335,388 Raginia Mar. 30, 1920 2,963,723 Nappi Dec. 13, 1960 

